DCA Access Standard Security Program (DASSP)

At TSA 'Summit' NBAA Continues Call for Improved DCA Access

Can access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) be made more
workable in a way that continues to address federal officials' security
concerns regarding flights over the nation's capital?

That was the question on the table at a recent meeting of Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) officials and industry stakeholders,
according to Doug Carr, NBAA Vice President for Safety, Security &
Regulation. Carr attended the meeting accompanied by representatives with
five NBAA Member Companies who are among the top business aviation users
at DCA.

Plans for the gathering began taking shape last month, when Brian
Delauter, general manager of TSA's General Aviation branch, called for a
"small summit" to determine if the current security plan for DCA – known
as the DCA Access Standard Security Plan (DASSP) – could be simplified.

In the early years following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, business aviation
operations at the airport were prohibited entirely. After extensive
advocacy by NBAA and others in the general aviation community, federal
security officials allowed access into the airport only through the DASSP,
which includes a host of stringent rules for operators. The requirements
are sufficiently rigorous that many operators have elected to bypass the
airport entirely. Studies conducted by NBAA and others have concluded that
the sharp drop-off in business aviation activity at Reagan National has
had an adverse economic impact on the Washington region.

Representing the business aviation community at the half-day session, Carr
noted that NBAA Members had told him that the two reasons Association
Members most often elect not to utilize TSA's DASSP are that the operating
company is not based at one of several "portal" airports, at which TSA
requires an aircraft to stop for a security check before proceeding to
Reagan National (eliminating the efficiency that is the hallmark of
business aviation), and the DASSP's requirement that all aircraft flying
into Reagan National carry an Armed Security Officer, who is often the
only person on the airplane who is unknown to the flight crew and
passengers.

"Security is a top priority for business aviation, and we certainly want
to continue on our record of working with government officials to ensure
that flight security isn't compromised," Carr said. "At the same time,
there is a general recognition among NBAA Members that the requirements
for flying into DCA are so onerous that they add up to a de facto
prohibition on access to the airport. At this week's summit, NBAA provided
TSA officials with number of suggestions and alternatives to the existing
DASSP program that would improve upon the established process while
ensuring a consistent level of security."

Over the next several months, TSA will review the input received at the
meeting between industry and government to determine the most effective
course of action. "We appreciate the time Mr. Delauter provided to hear
our industry's concerns and suggestions, and we look forward to continuing
to work with he and other TSA officials to try to make access to Reagan
National Airport more workable," Carr concluded. For additional
information, contact NBAA's Doug Carr at dcarr@nbaa.org.